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Carlsbad Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Carlsbad Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 188 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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b. b. from New Jersey
(1/30/2005)
"Not as bad a hill as it looks on the elevation map" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Good pacers for 3:10 and 3:15. They were serious about their job. The big hill that starts at 8 is much easier to run than worry about after looking at the elevation map. Water every mile and Ultima every 2. I was running this for fun and got the perfect day - dry, sunny, light breezes and 60's - plus I had a very nice person to run with for 10 miles - so had an enjoyable day. I've run a fair amount of marathons and rarely go back except for Boston, but I think I'll be back next year. | |
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joe lanteigne from hamilton ontario canada
(1/25/2005)
"What a geat race (3:10 pace bunny)" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Carlsbad Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was the 3:10 pace bunny... finished in 3:09:40; I am just so proud of myself... pat on back...lol. This was the most rewarding marathon, helping others qualify for Boston. We chatted till 18, laughed, and just had a good time. At 18 the pack started to break and a group of four left me and finished in 3:05. The people were great. The course a little challenging and the medals were the best. Would do it again in a heartbeat; anyone who complains about this race is probably miserable in life and will complain about everything... except the pasta dinner (not worth $15, but it was free for me, so can't complain...). | |
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M. W. from Vermont
(1/24/2005)
"A race with big pluses, big minuses" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Carlsbad was my 9th marathon and it was unlike any other I've done. I found a lot to like with the race and the course. But I also found it difficult to enjoy, mostly because of the crowds of walkers that the marathon runners, particularly anyone running sub-3:30, had to slalom around for the last 16 miles or so. I think I would highly recommend this race to someone running a first marathon or someone not looking for a particularly fast time. The support is first-rate, the course is beautiful, there are some fun spectators in places, and I don't think the walkers would be a big deal for a runner not trying to push to his or her max. I would be very hesitant to recommend it to someone looking for a PR or to push as hard as they can though. The course is pretty darn hilly (I liked it, but others might not), but it's mostly because of the aggravation factor of dealing with walkers who don't look out behind them before walking 4 abreast around the inside of a curve or cutting 90 degrees across the road to grab a water. It's possible to run a good time, but you feel like you're lost in a sea of walkers and slow joggers, and there's no way to avoid having to slow down to get around people every now and then. You can't run the tangents either, so you're sure to run more than 26.2 miles before you hit the finish line. | |
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D. T. from Monterey
(1/23/2005)
"Good, but not great" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Beautiful day. Went out with pace team. First mile a tad slow, then pacer took off like a cheetah to make up time. By mile 4 we were running 10 seconds under per mile pace. By mile 18 I slowed way down and by mile 24 I passed our pacer, since he was walking the rest of the race. After race was over, no Ultima or any replenishment drink. Half marathoners drank it all up. I was given a bottle of water, a bag that contained a banana, Cheez-its and Keebler cookies. Really healthy! The finish area needed lots of improvement. | |
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S. R. from WA State
(1/20/2005)
"worth the visit" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This race fully met my expectations and was worth the visit. Parking was plentiful & convenient. The 7:30 start time was perfectly coordinated w/ sun-up and warmer temps. But I agree that the combined start made for a slower 1st mile even w/ chip timing; plus I was late to the start area and wasn't able to join up to meet my pace group (my fault but that gives you an idea of how packed it was). The harmless-looking rollers took their toll--in hindsight, I really don't remember very many flat stretches except miles 13-14. Course markings were very good. Aid stations were regular but there wasn't Ultima at every one. Views were great. Spectators were adequate for this size of race. Overall I thought it was well organized and went off w/o a hitch. I hope to do it again. | |
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S. B. from Pismo Beach, Ca
(1/20/2005)
"GREAT, BUT VERY CHALLENGING MARATHON" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Carlsbad Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was may 3rd marathon here. Happy Birthday CM! (They changed the name from San Diego Marathon to Carlsbad Marathon). The marathon became more difficult due to reconfiguration of the course. The 308-foot hill between mile 5 and 8 is not that bad, but the additional mile further south on Carlsbad Blvd. added couple extra rolling hills that taxed my quads quite a bit. This made the course very tough for PR, compared to the old course. Still, the course is beautiful. The weather was perfect, and organization that no other marathon can match. Even hotels adjusted their breakfast start to 4:30 AM to accommodate the runners. The fans were great and very friendly. If you made it to the finish line thirsty or energy depleted, it had to be your fault, because water stations were plentiful and energy gels were everywhere (not counting those lying all over the street). It seems that everyone in this beautiful coastal town is on the same page on this day. I love coming here. It's a treat regardless whether I make another PR or not. Although, it would help. | |
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W. H. from La Jolla CA
(1/18/2005)
"Better than SD Rock and Roll" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my 30th marathon. Great organization for locals. Pleasant course. Gels were abundant. More water stations than I have ever seen. Great to see pills easily dispensed at mile 20. Better music than the local competitor marathon (Rock and Roll, San Diego). Course is prettier than RNR. Pitch of the road is more forgiving. The latter is all loud and annoying. This was actually pleasant. Especially drums! Negative was the use of Ultima. Poor flavor. | |
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C. R. from Los Angeles
(1/18/2005)
"staggered start needed" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 P.S. Please stagger the start of the half and the full marathon. Way too crowded at start with all going out at the same time. Took at least three miles to get free. | |
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g. g. from Santa Barbara, CA
(1/18/2005)
"A must-do marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I had a wonderful time at this marathon. The support was amazing. They didn't just have water but also provided Ultramax and Speed Gel/Gu. They had several bands playing, a local Buddhist temple on drums, a high school band, high school cheerleaders... the spectators and volunteers were fun and peppy. They even had docs on bikes throughout the course... OH and Advil, and aspirin too. The course itself was gorgeous. Took you right by the water for most of it... all in all, a must-do. I had a great time and every finisher got a medal. | |
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C. R. from L.A., CA.
(1/17/2005)
"Great course...I set a PB" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Having run L.A. and others in the area I was curious about Carlsbad. It was a terrific course. Now it does have quite an elevation rise, but it's from about mile 4-8. So you then get to come back down it resting up for a rolling finish. So, better than having hills at the end a la Boston and even L.A. to some extent. |
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